Helga hops

Have not used them but your description of yogurt and tea does not sound appealing. I think you will need to test these in some type of single hop beer to learn what is best for you. Went through this a few years ago with the Belma hops. For me I learned that Belma is a good bittering hop and has the spicy peppery flavor that I like in my Belgian Tripple. Please let us know what you have learned. Take care.

 

The following site suggests that they have potential for English style ales:

http://www.midwestsupplies.com/australian-helga-hop-pellets.html

And this site suggests that it is "an excellent companion to stronger malt driven ales and lagers".

http://www.hops.com.au/products/helga

And here's a smoked beer recipe that uses Helga hops:

https://www.brewtoad.com/recipes/smoated-with-helga

 

“Formerly known as Southern Hallertau. Bears almost no aroma similarities to it's European cousin - instead, fresh fruit yogurt, pungent basil, and darjeeling tea jump out. Low oil and cohumulone, but very unique aroma with moderate bittering. Lots of potential for English-style ales.”

The flavor descriptions above do not sound like any English Ale that I have ever tasted (including numerous trips to Great Britain). The only thought that comes to mind when I read “Lots of potential for English-style ales.” is marketing stuff.

Cheers!

 

Sounds like it might be an interesting dry hop for a sour ale.

 

Similar thoughts went through my mind as I read that. Lagers sounds more reasonable.

 

Have you tasted any lagers that had a flavor profile similar to: "...fresh fruit yogurt, pungent basil, and darjeeling tea jump out." Do you think you would enjoy drinking a lager with that sort of flavor profile.

Cheers!

 

From a few various websites I've seen it described as "noble-ish", flowery, and mild...

 

Saison or Biere de Garde sounds plausible to me.

 

I think they could work well in BJCP category 97J, Yogurt/Basil/Tea Lagers. And in Yogurt Carton Aged Beers, but that goes without saying.

 

No, but I have had lots of beers with Halletauer (even though it is stated that although it has Halertauer parentage, it doesn't taste like it). I wouldn't put it in a pilsner, but it's worth experimenting with other lagers. Hopefully the other flavours are subtle. I for one am all for experimenting with different flavours, and wouldn't mind seeing how these might pull through a strong, malty lager.

 

I look forward to reading your post about how you Helga Lager turned out.

Cheers!

 

If I brew it (small batch) I'll post the results here.

 

So with the yogurt flavor and the tea aspect, why not a berlinner or gose? Lacot souring, yogurt flavors, seems like a no brainer to me. Also, maybe a saison. I have been wanting to do a green tea saison, I could see this working as well.

 

From what I've read about people using them, I haven't seen references to yoghurt / basi / tea, more like floral and subtle herbal aromas, a touch spicy and grassy; very pseudo-noble aspects.


BTW if you want some data on them : http://www.hops.com.au/products/helga (data sheet link down the bottom)

 

Do you personally know anybody who have brewed using Helga hops? If so, what were their impressions?

Cheers!

 

It's entirely possible some clown at Morebeer ordered 500 pounds more Helga than they could sell, so they decided to use disturbingly unique descriptors to move the product. The grower claims it's a mild and forgiving hop.

 

I can ask around, but not that I can think of right now.